About:
The 380-member Auburn University Marching Band is one of the oldest and largest marching bands in the country. For over a century, the Auburn Band has captivated audiences all across the nation while fostering the great “Auburn Spirit.”
Who:
Membership in the Marching Band is open to all Auburn students who have had high school marching band experience. You do not have to be a music major to participate. Almost 85% of the current marching band members are non music majors and they represent almost every field of study on campus.
Preseason Camp:
The AUMB Preseason Camp will be held on the Auburn Campus in August. Potential members report at different times depending on their role and year in the band. Click here to visit the Preseason Camp page.
When:
Marching in the AUMB is not a huge time commitment! Preseason Camp, which begins approximately two weeks before the start of fall classes, consists of full-day rehearsals for the duration of camp. After the start of the fall semester, AUMB rehearsals are held Tuesday through Friday, 3:30pm to 4:50pm, and Saturday mornings before games. These rehearsals count as a one credit hour course, MUSE 1100, 2100, 3100, or 4100 (depending the student’s academic status). Winds rehearse one additional hour per week in sectionals. Members of the percussion section and the Tiger Eyes visual ensemble rehearse two additional hours each week; these required rehearsals account for one extra credit hour.
Where:
Typical rehearsals are held at the new J.W. and Nell Birchfield Practice Field and Pavilion, a dedicated synthetic turf facility made possible by the generosity of Meredith Birchfield. Certain Preseason Camp rehearsals are held inside the Goodwin Music Building, a facility made possible through the generosity of the J. W. Goodwin family of Birmingham.
How to Join:
Any wind player who wishes to participate in the Auburn University Marching Band and will be enrolled as a student for the Fall 2024 semester should notify the Band Department by completing an online membership database/intent form. Students must have an Auburn University username and ID to complete the form. All students completing the intent form for marching band are expected to attend the AUMB Preseason Camp. Specifics regarding the camp dates and times will be posted on the website. In addition, students must enroll for the one-credit hour marching band class (MUSE-1100) during their Camp War Eagle summer orientation session. Students who do not meet the basic marching or playing standards determined through the formal evaluations during Preseason Camp may be designated for alternate status or denied membership. For more details, please visit the Join the AUMB page.
Cost:
There is no charge for the use of university instruments, uniforms, or music. During Preseason Camp, students pay a small fee for activities and materials associated with the band’s freshmen orientation program. In addition, band members are required to furnish the following: designated athletic shoe, marching shoes, white gloves, flip folder, and a music lyre (if applicable). These items can be purchased at the registration session of the preseason camp. Students are given a per-diem allowance to cover the cost of meals during trips. Band members do no fund raising.
Credit:
One hour credit is available for participation in the Marching Band. This credit may be used as an elective in any curriculum.
Travel:
The Marching Band performs at all home and most away games, including post-season bowls. The band travels on chartered buses and is housed in first-class hotels. All travel costs are paid by the University.
Scholarships:
Auburn University Band Scholarships are available by audition to all wind and percussion players. For more detailed information, please visit our Scholarships page.
Director:
Dr. Corey Spurlin
E-mail: cspurlin@auburn.edu
Telephone: (334) 844-4166
Address:
AUBURN UNIVERSITY BANDS
132 Goodwin Music Building
Auburn University, AL 36849-5421
Phone: (334) 844-4166
Fax: (334) 844-3170
E-mail: band@auburn.edu
Frequently Asked Questions
- Does the marching band take a lot of time?
- No! In fact, it probably takes much less time than your high school marching band. Marching band is a class for which you register and it meets during that class time. The rehearsals are held from 3:30pm to 4:50pm, Tuesday through Friday, and on Saturday morning. During the week you will have a one hour section rehearsal at a time and place determined by your section leader.
- Do I have to be a music major to get into the band?
- No. In fact, the majority of students in the marching band are not music majors.
- Do I have to be in concert band to be in marching band?
- No. You can be in marching band or concert band, or both.
- How hard is it to get into the marching band?
- Not as hard as you think! The marching band is intended to be a continuing learning experience for each member so that everyone is a better musician, student, and citizen at the end of the season. Each fall, approximately 150 freshmen are accepted for membership in the Auburn Band. Your chances of being chosen are excellent!
- Do the freshman go through hazing?
- No! Absolutely not! We value our first-year members because they are the future leaders of the band. The Auburn University Marching Band has one of the best freshmen orientation programs in the southeast, known as the Rookie Auburn Tiger (RAT) Program. The program pairs each first-year member with a veteran “RAT Parent” who helps them through their first Preseason Camp and answers any questions they may have about the band or the university. “RAT Parents” also attend activities with their first-year member before and after rehearsals during Preseason Camp to help everyone get to know each other. You may have heard the band likened to a family, and this program is one big reason why!